An insight into the slamming behaviour of large high-speed catamarans through full-scale measurements

• Published in: Journal of Marine Science and Technology
• Main Authors: Jacobi, G, Thomas, GA, Davis, MR, Davidson, G
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer-Verlag Tokyo 2013
• Subjects: Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Naval Architecture; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00773-013-0229-y; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/88624

The slamming behaviour of a large high-speedcatamaran has been investigated through the analysis offull-scale trials data. The US Navy conducted the trials inthe North Sea and North Atlantic region on a 98 m wavepiercer catamaran, HSV-2 Swift, designed by RevolutionDesign Pty Ltd and built by Incat Tasmania. For varyingwave headings, vessel speeds and sea states the datarecords were interrogated to identify slam events. Anautomatic slam identification algorithm was developed,considering the measured rate of change of stress in theships structure coupled with the vessels pitch motion.This has allowed the slam occurrence rates to be found fora range of conditions and the influence of vessel speed,wave environment and heading to be determined. The slamevents have been further characterised by assessing therelative vertical velocity at impact between the vessel andthe wave. Since the ship was equipped with a ride controlsystem, its influence on the slam occurrence rates has alsobeen assessed.